WRC 2012 final outcomes | ACMA

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WRC 2012 final outcomes

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA) maintains a high profile within the international radiocommunications community, particularly the activities of the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R).

The ACMA coordinates Australia’s input to the ITU-R in setting international standards for radiocommunications. This input culminates in an ITU treaty level World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) being conducted every three to four years with the 2012 WRC (WRC-12) held from 23 January to 17 February 2012 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The ACMA at WRC-12

Preparation

The ACMA oversees extensive industry and stakeholder consultation in preparation for the WRC. Preparations for WRC-12 was led by the ACMA’s Preparatory Group for WRC-12 (PG WRC-12) and the Australian Radiocommunications Study Groups (ARSGs).

The participation of Australian industry and stakeholders is essential in ensuring that the decisions and future development of international radiocommunications regulations are in Australia’s interest. ARSGs are chaired by government or industry representatives and coordinated by the ACMA. Six ARSGs, which mirror the work of the ITU-R Study Groups, were established for WRC-12.

An important part in the WRC preparatory process involves the ACMA working closely with the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) to achieve a coordinated approach to radiocommunications issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Cooperation within the APT results in Australia’s positions and proposals to a WRC being harmonised with those of other countries in the region.

Australian Radiocommunication Study Group (ARSGs)

The ARSGs are subordinate to the PG and represent a group of experts that form Australian positions on issues considered at the regional and international level and provide input to international meetings.

The ARSGs’ responsibilities include:

study, coordinate and provide expert advice to the PG WRC and the ACMA to assist in the development of Australian positions and contributions for Australian Delegations to ITU-R Study Groups and subordinate group meetings

promote and encourage the development of Australian expertise and encourage Australian participation in ITU-R Study Group matters

report outcomes of ITU-R studies and make recommendations, relevant to WRC Agenda items to the PG WRC

provide advice and guidance on relevant matters to other ARSGs and the PG WRC subsidiary groups as necessary.

Outcomes from WRC-12

Table 4.3 lists all the Agenda items discussed at WRC-12. The Agenda items are grouped by radiocommunication service and contain a brief description of the item and précis of the outcomes.

The ACMA held an industry debrief on the outcomes of WRC-12 on Monday 23 April 2012 at the National Library of Australia in Canberra.

The outcomes from WRC-12 will affect the ACMA’s future work plan, which will be reflected in future editions of the Five Year Spectrum Outlook, as Australia’s allocations are updated to align with the ITU’s requirements for the Asia–Pacific region.

Further information on the ARSGs responsible for following WRC-15 Agenda items is available here. Further information on ITU Agenda items for WRC-15 and WRC-18 is available on the ITU-R Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM) page on the ITU website.

Table 4.3 Agenda items discussed at WRC-12

WRC-12 Agenda
item

Description

Respon-
sible ARSG

Outcome from
WRC-12

Services affected

Agenda item 1.3—Unmanned aircraft systems

To consider spectrum requirements and possible regulatory actions, including allocations, in order to support the safe operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), based on the results of ITU-R studies, in accordance with Resolution 421
(WRC-07).

To consider, based on the results of ITU-R studies, any further regulatory measures to facilitate introduction of new aeronautical mobile (R) service (AM(R)S) systems in the bands 112–117.975 MHz, 960–1 164 MHz and 5 000–5 030 MHz in accordance with Resolutions 413 (Rev.WRC-07), 417 (WRC-07) and 420 (WRC-07).

Footnote 5.B103 was added, whereby in the frequency bands 5 000–5 030 and 5 091–5 150 MHz, the aeronautical mobile-satellite (R) service is subject to agreement coordination requirements under No. 9.21 of the Radio Regulations.

The use of these bands by the AMS(R)S is restricted to use for safety and regularity of flight.

Agenda item 1.9—Appendix 17—New digital technologies for MMS

To revise frequencies and channelling arrangements of Appendix 17 to the Radio Regulations, in accordance with Resolution 351 (Rev.WRC-07), in order to implement new digital technologies for the maritime mobile service.

To consider requirements for new applications in the radiolocation service and review allocations or regulatory provisions for implementation of the radiolocation service in the range
30–300 MHz, in accordance with Resolution 611
(WRC-07).

To consider possible allocations in the range 3–50 MHz to the radiolocation service for oceanographic radar applications, taking into account the results of ITU-R studies, in accordance with Resolution 612
(WRC-07).

To consider the progress of ITU-R studies concerning the technical and regulatory issues relative to the fixed service in the bands between 71 GHz and 238 GHz, taking into account Resolutions 731
(WRC-2000) and 732 (WRC-2000).

Inclusion of recommended emission masks in the Radio Regulations for Fixed Services operating in the 81–86 GHz and 92–94 GHz bands.

Agenda item 1.17—Sharing between MS and other services in the band 790–862 MHz in Regions 1
and 3

To consider results of sharing studies between the mobile service and other services in the band 790–862 MHz in Regions 1 and 3, in accordance with Resolution 749 (WRC‑07) to ensure the adequate protection of services to which this frequency band is allocated, and take appropriate action.

To consider the results of ITU-R studies and spectrum identification for gateway links for high altitude platform stations (HAPS) in the range 5 850‑7 075 MHz in order to support operations in the fixed and mobile services, in accordance with Resolution 734 (Rev.WRC-07).

Modification of Radio Regulation footnote No. 5.565 to identify bands in the range 275–1 000 GHz for use by passive service applications, use of this range by active services and use of frequencies in the range 1 000–3 000 GHz by both active and passive services.

A global primary allocation to the radiodetermination-satellite service in the frequency band 2 483.5–2 500 MHz with coordination threshold pfd values of –152 dB(W/m2) in 4 kHz and
–128 dB (W/m2) in 1 MHz.

No change to Radio Regulations definitions regarding fixed and mobile. New Resolution 957 [PLEN/1] (WRC-12) for Studies towards review of definitions of fixed service, fixed station and mobile station. Minor revision to Recommendation 34 on Principles for the allocation of frequency bands. No change on satellite convergence issues. Suppression of Resolution 951 Enhancing the international spectrum regulatory framework.

To consider regulatory measures and their relevance, in order to enable the introduction of software-defined radio and cognitive radio systems, based on the results of ITU-R studies, in accordance with Resolution 956 (WRC-07).

Various subsets of the 169 Resolutions and Recommendations in Volume 3 of the Radio Regulations were considered, and various (non substantive) changes were made under this Agenda item.

146 Resolutions and Recommendations were considered related to specific WRC-12 Agenda items (including Agenda item 4), of which 38 were sent to other Committees for consideration and comment. Many Resolutions and Recommendations have been modified or suppressed as a separate result of actions taken under other WRC-12 Agenda items. Details are shown in the Provisional Final Acts WRC-12.

Endnotes

1 Use of incorporation by reference in the Radio Regulations.

2 Revision of references to the text of ITU‑R Recommendations incorporated by reference in the Radio Regulations.